Format: Short story Descriptor: Drugs as intelligence-enhancers Annotation: Scientist concocts a protein-based drug that frees the subject from all need to sleep. Narrator takes the drug and enters into a condition of enhanced perceptivity in which he is capable of penetrating the visionary recesses of his own mind and visiting the dream-creating processes. The experience eventually exhausts him, but unable to give up use of the drug, he looks forward to death as the only release from its effects. —————————————————————————————— Author: Herbert, Benson Title: The control drug Journal: _Wonder Stories_, Vol. 6, No. 6, 669–675 Publisher: Continental Publications, New York Date: November 1934 Format: Short story Descriptor: Drugs as euphorics Annotation: Scientist invents a xenon-derived drug that seems to offer a “paradise” effect—brief glimpses of the Divine, freedom from the material body, etc. But further research shows its dread long-term effects: “The stuff doesn’t exalt you or energize you.... What it does is to release the emotions from a lifetime of civilized control and suppression. It takes the bonds off secret desires. Its subtle physiological action leaves you with no control whatever.” Naturally he destroys the drug and takes his own life. —————————————————————————————— Author: Hamilton, Edmond Title: The truth gas Journal: _Wonder Stories_, Vol. 6, No. 5, 1060–1071 Publisher: Continental Publications, New York Date: February 1935 Format: Short story Descriptor: Drugs as mind-controllers Annotation: A scientist who believes that all sin and crime stem from deceptiveness perfects and releases into the atmosphere a drug that “causes a short-circuit between the brain’s thought-centers and its motor-centers of speech” so that lying becomes impossible. The resulting compulsive honesty leads to impossible social situations as the whole veneer of tact and diplomacy vanishes; it becomes necessary to devise and release an antidote. —————————————————————————————— Author: Bartel, Philip J. Title: The elixir of progress Journal: _Wonder Stories_, Vol. 6, No. 11, 1286–1304 Publisher: Continental Publications, New York Date: April 1935 Format: Short story Descriptor: Drugs as euphorics Annotation: Satiric story of the quest in the year 3903 for rediscovery of the lost ancient drug that provided stimulation and energy and delight to early man—coffee. ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PREDICTIVE PERIOD (1935–1965) Author: Smith, Clark Ashton Title: The Plutonian drug Journal: _Amazing Stories_, Vol. 9, No. 5, 41–48 Publisher: Teck Publications, New York Date: September 1934 Format: Short story Descriptor: Drugs as mind-expanders